Buzz
While we could easily talk about money all day in the Two Cents section of Mytour, beyond this friendly space, conversations about finances still carry a stigma. In fact, people are often more comfortable discussing their personal lives than their credit card debt at social gatherings, as highlighted in a report from Motley Fool’s The Ascent. According to the survey, nearly 57% of participants believe it's inappropriate to talk about personal finance, regardless of the setting. This societal taboo can leave you feeling isolated when trying to share your financial aspirations, reflect on challenges, or celebrate your financial milestones.
At times, it can be more comfortable to talk about money with strangers, especially those facing similar financial situations. These strangers may have experienced the same financial struggles and can offer guidance without judgment, whether your situation is positive or negative.
This is where the internet proves invaluable. When you're looking for motivation or a place to vent about the monotony of your meal-prepped lunches for the week, you can rely on these supportive online communities. The best part? They are completely free to join.
Spending Fasters (Eliminate Debt, Save More, and Get Inspired)
This community, linked to the blog And Then We Saved, is dedicated to using spending fasts (or no-spend challenges) as a way to accelerate debt repayment. If you’re fully committed to becoming debt-free, this group is perfect for you.
Frugal Friends Podcast Community
Your Money and Your Life
This expansive group, managed by NPR, has over 51,000 members. With a focus on saving and investing, you’re bound to uncover new strategies to improve your financial journey.
Dough Rollers
This community, connected to the Dough Roller blog, offers a broader space for discussions on money and investing, yet with a more intimate feel—around 7,500 members.
Subreddits
Reddit can feel like a flood of information, so here are two subreddits I enjoy exploring that can introduce you to various money-related topics.
r/personalfinance
This is the all-encompassing space for budgeting, saving, getting out of debt, investing, and everything else related to personal finance. If you're looking for more specific advice (like earning travel rewards with credit cards, for instance), other members will guide you in the right direction.
r/frugal
Looking to save more and spend wisely? This subreddit offers tips on couponing, maximizing store circulars, and getting the most out of your pantry. You can also enjoy some 'frugal fails' to make you feel better when your money-saving attempts don’t go as planned.
Traditional forums
Do you miss the old days of the internet? Fortunately, forums are still alive and well. Start with one of these:
Oh My Dollar
If you were a fan of the lively comment section at the now-defunct site The Billfold (previously managed by Mytour writer Nicole Dieker), you’ll find that same community at the personal finance education site Oh My Dollar. Discussions cover everything from budgeting to parenting, and there’s even a dedicated thread where you can share your financial wins with the group.
BiggerPockets
The BiggerPockets forums, much like the website itself, focus primarily on real estate investing. However, there are also rich discussions on topics like financial independence, goal-setting, and tax strategies.
Hashtags
While performative social media can often make you feel discouraged about your financial situation (or lack thereof), following certain hashtags can lead you to inspiring posts full of tips and strategies for achieving your financial goals.
On Instagram, try following #debtfreecommunity and #debtfreejourney to connect with others who are either in the process of paying off debt or have already achieved debt freedom.
Where have you discovered helpful online personal finance communities? Feel free to share your top recommendations in the comments.
